Father Marvin William Reif, 55, passed away in Protection. He was born August 19, 1963, in Hoisington, to Albert and Dorothy (Frenzl) Reif.

Father Marvin Reif took his seminary studies at Conception Seminary, Conception, Mo., Holy Trinity College, Dallas, Texas, and Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood June 3, 1989, by the Most Rev. Stanley G. Schlarman, bishop of Dodge City, at Holy Family Church, Odin.

He served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City, and St. Rose of Lima, Great Bend.

His pastorates included: Immaculate Conception, Claflin, with Holy Family, Odin, and St. Catherine, Dubuque, and St. Joseph, Beaver, from 1993 to 1995; Sacred Heart, Ness City, and St. Alphonsus, Ransom, (1995-1999); St. Joseph, Ashland, and Holy Spirit, Coldwater, (1999-2000); St. Rose, Great Bend, (2000-2001); and St. Nicholas, Kinsley, with St. Joseph, Offerle, (2001-2002).

Father Reif served the diocese in the positions of Director of the Office of Liturgy and Worship, Director of Vocations, and was a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.

He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, enjoyed music, singing, nature and was very proud of his extensive collection of religious books.

Survivors include three brothers, Gary Reif and wife Karen of Great Bend, Duane Reif and wife Debbie of Hoisington, Eldon Reif and wife Karla of Holyrood; two sisters Karen Winkelman and husband Tim of Great Bend and Nancy Jensen and husband Mark of Ellsworth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Father Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leonard Reif.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein presiding. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cemetery, Odin. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 3 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. A Vigil with Knights of Columbus Rosary will follow at 3 p.m.

Memorial funds have been established with Texas EquuSearch-Kansas Chapter or Seminary Burse Endowment Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Viola A. Burns, age 90, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2019 surrounded by her loving family members.

A Rosary will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, March 29, 2019 followed by a Visitation Service and 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Sabina Catholic Church, 700 Trevis Ave., Belton, Missouri 64012. A Burial will be held immediately following the Funeral Mass at Belton Cemetery in Belton, Missouri.

Viola was born on September 24, 1928 in Munjor, Kansas. She was the daughter of Hilarius Leiker and Bridget (Jacobs) Leiker.

On September 10, 1955 Viola was joined in marriage with her loving husband, Raymond P. Burns. Together they were blessed with four children, James, Gary, Lawrence, and Kathy. For most of Viola’s life she worked as a homemaker, caring for her four children. She very much enjoyed gardening, bowling, and was a member of Loosely Knit Knitters. She was an avid sports fan, especially when watching her sons or grandsons play. She was a faithful member of St. Sabina Catholic Church.

Viola was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Raymond P. Burns; parents Hilarius and Bridget Leiker; five brothers, Gilbert, Robert, Francis, Charles, and Richard Leiker; and two sisters, Agnes Pfannenstiel and Dolores Hoffman.

She is survived by her four loving children, James R. Burns, Gary J. Burns (Janet), Lawrence G. Burns, and Kathy A. Burns; sister Laverna Samuelson (John); brother Larry Leiker (Donna); and two grandchildren John and James.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Sabina Catholic Church, 700 Trevis Ave., Belton, Missouri 64012.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Longtime Goodland, Kansas, resident Deanna Carroll Buhr, 62, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at the Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland.

Deanna was born in Casper, Wyoming, on October 7, 1956 to Lynn and Maralyn (Moss) Denney. She was one of seven children. When Deanna was young, the family moved to Holyoke, Colorado, where she attended school and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1974. She then went on and attended one year of Beauty School in Sterling, Colorado.

On September 22, 1989, Deanna married Paul Gerhard Buhr in Yuma, Colorado. In 1992, they moved to Goodland where Deanna worked for many years as a Dispatcher for Sherman County until health issues forced her to resign.

Proceeding her in death was her father, and 2 brothers; Terry and David Denney.

She is survived by her husband Paul Buhr of Goodland, her mother Maralyn Denny of Holyoke, CO, her three children; Adam (Jacki) Waters of Goodland, Crystal (Jason) Garner of Hays, KS and Amanda Campbell of Goodland. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren; Blayn Waters, Jonathan Garner, Jeremy Garner, Brysun Waters, Michael Garner, Gabriel Campbell, Nicholas Garner, Melody Campbell and Connor Campbell; one sister Lana Mekelburg of Yuma, CO, and three brothers Doug Denney of Holyoke, CO, Greg Denney of Grand Island, NE and Jeff Denney of Yuma, CO.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

Phillipsburg resident Carole H. Newlin passed away March 27, 2019 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, KS at the age of 84. She was born Feb. 6, 1935 in Horton, KS, the daughter of Merl & Mary (Field) Ingels.

Survivors include her daughters; Kim Babcock of Phillipsburg and Kay Newlin of Grand Island, NE; her brother, Rodney Ingels of Hiawatha, KS; 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating. Graveside services will be held 3:30 p.m. in the Horton Cemetery, Horton, KS.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday and 9:00 to 9:00 Friday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church or Hospice Services.

Birl Dean Williams, 81, passed away March 27, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays. He was born January 28, 1938 at Allen, Texas to Rush and Willie Mae (Tharp) Williams. He married Shirley Wilson September 6, 1983 at Ulysses.

A Great Bend resident for the last 40 years, Birl was a production worker for Superior Essex in Hoisington. He was a member of the Great Bend Senior Center. Birl liked to read, fish and was known to be the fixer-upper around the house.

Survivors include, his wife, Shirley Williams of the home; two sons, David Guentert and wife Erna of Aurora, CO and Jimmy Williams of OK; one daughter, Diana Frieberg and husband Dan of Des Moines, IA; two sisters, Betty and Jo; and six grandchildren, Miranda, Jordan, Gabby, Elijah, Makaili and Derrick. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, EJ Williams; and one sister, Fay Manweiler.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 29, 2019 at Bryant Funeral Home, with Rev. William Johnson presiding. Memorials are suggested to the Great Bend Senior Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Linda Sue “Susie” Normandin was a wonderful, outgoing woman who was loved by many. She didn’t know a stranger, she had a heart of gold, and would do anything to help those in need. She will be missed and will always be cherished. Our “Meme”, as she liked to be called by her grandchildren, was an incredible wife, mother, sister, aunt, and a baker of the best cinnamon rolls.

Linda’s story started on December 2, 1947, the youngest child of Irvin and Montie (Attebury) Turnbull. She was born in Stockton, Kansas where she went to school and grew up to make lifelong friends. June 3, 1967, Linda married Donald J. Normandin in Stockton. They lived there for a short time and then moved to Damar, where they devoted many years to raising their four children.

Linda spent most of her career at the Graham County Hospital in Hill City. After many years of service, she retired and started volunteering with the Graham County Hospital Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; four sisters; a grandson, Cade Normandin and a great granddaughter Lilianna.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Donald; sons: Neil (Roberta) Normandin and Patrick (Christi) Normandin both of Salina; daughters: Janie (Damian) Klaus, Minneapolis and Cherise Normandin, Goddard; brothers: Jack (Nola) Turnbull, Plainville, Jim (Judy) Turnbull, Hutchinson, and Richard “Dick” (Judie) Turnbull, Salina; sister: Karrol Kirk, Hutchinson; a sister-in-law: Judy Turnbull, Woodston; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Click HERE for service details.

September 12, 1929 – March 27, 2019

An obituary is pending with Pauls Funeral Home.

Click HERE for service details.

Sylvia R. Gobin, age 86, of Rocky Ford, Colorado, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019 at her home in Thornton, CO. She was born to the late Dr. Byron B. and Ruth Blotz on July 27, 1932.

Sylvia married Edward B. Gobin in 1949 who predeceased her in 1992. Sylvia was also predeceased by her parents and sister, Edith Cover.

Sylvia will be lovingly remembered by her children, Robert (Debi) Gobin of Pueblo, Patricia A. Soden of Thornton, Richard (Debra) Gobin of Canon City, and Katherine (Elden) Klaus of Hays, Kansas. Sylvia will also be remembered by her seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter and her faithful companion, Roxy (her dog).

She loved her family and constantly uplifted them and brought them together, building such a strong foundation of love and support that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience. Although there are not enough words to express how much she will be missed, we were all so blessed to share our lives with such a caring, generous, beautiful, loving, quick-witted and bright light.

Gobin’s , Inc. was founded in 1967 in Rocky Ford by Edward and Sylvia Gobin. Sylvia was dedicated to operating the family business which continues to be managed and operated by four generations and has expanded to several locations.

She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, P.E.O. and participated in numerous community events. She served as the local Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, as well as volunteering for both Rocky Ford and La Junta hospitals. Sylvia enjoyed playing bridge and was a part of several bridge clubs. Her other interests included supporting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their sporting and other school activities, traveling, cards and other games, reading and gardening.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Community Presbyterian Church; 303 S. 9th Street, Rocky Ford, CO with Rev. Steve Culver officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Berkley Hospice; 10697 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO 80014; Denver Hospice; 501 S. Cherry Street, Ste. 700, Denver, CO 80246 or a Hospice of Donor’s choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ford – Ustick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

Michael A. Aldridge Sr., age 67, from Russell, died Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.

Services are pending at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 E. 22nd, Hays, Kansas 67601.